Automatic lock slider for slide fasteners



June 29,1943. E, RULE. v 2,322,825 v AUTOMATIC LOCK SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed April 2, 1942 '2 sneets sheet 1 iila.

INVENTO)? A'I'I'ORNEY Patented June 29, 1943 AUTOMATIC LOCK SLIDEB FOB SLIDE FASTENERS Alfred E. Carlile. Meadville. vla., assignor to Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 2, 1942, Serial No. 437,386

17 Claims.

This invention relates to slide fasteners and, in particular, to the provision of a new and improved lockslide for slide fasteners.

It is an object of this invention to provide anew and improved automatic, self locking,

, slider for slide fasteners embodying extreme simplicity of construction, ease of assembly and efflciency of operation as well as possessed of great strength, durability and freedom from wear.

Itis a further object of this invention to pro-.

vide such an automatic slider incorporating improved locking means adapted effectively to perform the locking function without causing substantial wear of, or damage to, the interlocking fastener members of the fastener.

It is a further object of this invention to providesuch a slider having locking means projecting but slightly beyond the front face or wing of the slider and which is so constructed as successfully to withstand contact with and pressure applied by flat irons or other like instrumentalities or objects without damage to the slider or to overlying plies of textile material as, for lnstance, in slide fasteners incorporated in trouser fly constructions.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanylng drawings which form a part thereof, and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary enlarged view inperspective, and partly in section, of a slide fastener provided with an improved slider constructed according tothis invention, the slider parts being shown in unlocked position;

Fig, 2 is a view in perspective of the locking member of the slider shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig." 1, with the pull tab of the slider in flat position and the slider parts in locked position;

Fig. 4 is av fragmentary view of the structure shown in Fig. 3 but showing the pull tab in operation, with tension applied thereto to close the fastener, and showing the lockingprojection ratcheting or riding over an interlocking fasthe cam trunnion of the pull tab or member, with the locking projection withdrawn from the channel into the locking projection receiving recess;

Fig. 'l is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the pull tab or pull member, in flat, inoperative position with the locking member engaging'the flat side surface of an interlocking fastener member, as in Fig. 5, but with pressure applied to the loop portion thereof Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view, partly in sec- I tion, of the structure shown in Figs. 1-7 inclusive,

Referring to the drawings in detail, the slide fastener illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a pair of stringer tapes II, each provided at one edge with an edge reinforcement II to which is suitably secured a row of predeterminedly spaced interlocking fastener members ii, the tapes Ii being secured together adjacent the lower ends of the rows of interlocking fastener members" I! by a suitable bottom stop M. A slider, generally desig.. nated I5, is slidably supported on the rows of interlocking fastener members- II, for longitudinal movement in opposite directions, to close and open the fastener.

Th slider II comprises a front wing II and rear wing ll of similar form connected at their upper ends by a rigid wedge or neck 18. The wings l6 and I! are provided with marginal side flanges I! which form with the wedge ll an upwardly diverging guide channel for guiding the rows of interlocking fastener members I! progressively into and out of engagement upon movement of the slider longitudinally on the rows of interlocking fastener members in opposite directions. The front wing it is provided with an aperture 20 which extends into the above described channel from the outer surface, or front face thereof, and from which aperture extends a locking projection housing or receiving recess 2| at the inner side of the front wing It.

In the embodimentillustrated in Figs. 1-8 inelusive, the slider body is provided, at opposite sides, with similar locking member receiving or aligning recesses or channels 23 and 25. The locking member receiving or aligning recesses 23 extends-from a point 22, adjacent the aperture 23. on the outside of the front wing l3 to the upper end of the frontwing l3. The recess or channel 25 is similarly located at the outside 1 urface of the rear wing l1 and is of like extent, that is, it extends from the upper end of the wing II to a point 24 substantially opposite the point 22, the channels 23 and 23 being thus superposed and aligned.

As shown in Fig. 2, the locking member, generally designated 23, comprises a pair of similar substantially rectangular plate portions 21 and 23 connected at their upper ends by an arcuate neck portion 23. The rear plate portion 23 terminates in a substantially straight edge 33, while an upstruck, or outstruck, loop or lug portion 3| continues from the lower end of the forward plate portion 21. A locking projection 32 in the form of a finger substantially, but not quite, parallel with the forward plate portion 21 extends downwardly from the lower end of the loop or lug portion 3| at one side.

The formed plate portion 21 with the rear plate portion 23 and connecting neck portion 29 form,

in effect, a cli of substantially U-shaped longitudinal section adapted closely to engage the above described channels 23 and 23 in such manner that the edge 33 of the rear plate portion 23 closely engages the end 24 of the channel 23, while the neck portion 23 closely engages the outer surface of the neck or wedge l8 of the slider body.

The loop or lug portion 31 is formed by the upper, outwardly directed wall 33 which is connected at its inner end by a relatively abrupt bend to the plate portion 21 and which is connected at its other, or outer, end by a similar bend to the intermediate wall 34 which is substantially parallel with the plate portion 21, though spaced outwardly therefrom. At its lower end the intermediate wall 34 is connected by a relatively gradual bend with thelower wall 33 which lower wall is substantially parallel with the above described wall 33 and which lower'wall is substantially longer than the wall 33. At its other, or ixmer, end the wall 33 is connected by a, relatively acute or abrupt bend with the above described locking projection 32 which, though narrower than the plate portion 21 and loop portion 3|, is of sufficient width and area to prevent cutting or like damage to the interlocking fastener members I2 when it passes over them, as shown in Figs. 4: and 5. This bend, connecting the wall 35 and This trunnion forms a rotary cam cooperating with the interior of the loop portion 3| of the locking memberby which it is connected to the slider, to lift the free end of the locking member 23 and withdraw the locking projection 32 from the channel of the slider into the recess 2|, maintaining it in such position when the pull tab 33 'is in upright position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

In positions between that of Fig. 4 and that of Fig. 6 the pull tab acts as a simple tension memher for drawing the slider upwardly of the rows of interlocking fastener members to close the fastener (Figs. 4 and 5). When the pull tab is in the position shown in Fig. 6 the slider may be freely moved downwardly of the rows of interlocking fastener members to openthe fastener since the locking projecting is withdrawn from the channel. When the pull tab 33 is flat against the slider body, either'in the position shown in Fig. 3 or the opposite extreme position (not shown), the cam 43 releases the locking member 23 which automatically thrusts the locking projection 32 into the channel to prevent downward movement of the slider, as shown in Fig. 3, while permitting upward movement of the slider, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

In order to assemble the parts of the slider shown in Figs. 1-8, it is merely necessary to place the pull tab trunnion 43 beneath the loop 3| and slide the locking member downwardly of the slider to align the locking projection 32 withthe aperture 23 into which it is thrust and then to bring the plate portions 21 and 23 substantially to the position shown in Fig. 3.

Thereafter, the arcuate portion or neck 23 of the locking member 23 is welded either to the wedge or neck 18 of the slider body, as shown in Fig. 3. by welding extending from the point 4| to the point 42, or to the wings l3 and II by welds extending from the point 43 to the point 44 on the front wing, and extending from the point 43 to the point 43 on the back wing, securely to connect the locking member 23 to the body of the slider l5. distance of the point 4| from the free end of the locking member and the aperture 23 (Fig. 3), or of the point .43 from the free end of the looking member 23 and the aperture 23, regulates the softness and other characteristics of the spring formed by the resilient locking member 23.

If it is desired to secure soft action wherein but little force is required to operate the locking means, the point 4|, or the point 43, will be substantially removed from the free end-of the locklooking projection 32, performs an important function in preventing damage to the locking member, as shown in Fig. 7 and as hereinafter more fully explained.

While any conventional pull member, ring or tab may be used to operate the slider, the pull tab,

or pull member, shown (Fig. 8) for the purpose mg member 23 and from the aperture 23. If a strong spring action is required, the point 4|, or the point 43, will be placed closer the free end of the locking member 23 or the aperture 23 of the slider.

An alternative form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 9, 13 and 11. In this form, the necessity for welding is totally eliminated by slight modification in the slider body and in the locking member 23a. The body of the slider In is similar to that of the above described slider 13, except that the channel 25a is slightly shorter than the above described channel 23 and terminates in a transverse or inwardly directed slot or recess 24a which preferably extends from the end of the channel 25:; inwardly completely through the rear wing I1 of the slider, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. 'The locking member 23a is similar to the above described locking member 23, save that the free end of the rear plate portion As may be readily understood, the

inserting the locking projection 32 and adjacent portion of the locking member 28a through the aperture 38 of the pulltab member 36 which is aligned with the aperture 20 as shown in Fig. .9. Thereafter the rear plate portion 23 and projection 23a are snapped around the slider to the position shown in Fig. 9, wherein the projection 23a is received in the slot 24a, as shown in Figs.

9 and 10.

The formof the loop portion ii is such that it cooperates with the trunnion or cam 40 to prevent damage to the'slider when it is subjected to extreme pressures encountered when a garment incorporating the fastener is pressed. In Fig. '7

Ihave illustrated a pressing iron or like instrumentality 50 applying pressure to loop portion 3| through plies and 52 of a pleat or fly overlying the slider. It will be readily seen that the curved surfaces provided by the bends between the walls 33 and 34 of the loop portion 3i and between the walls 34 and 35 of the loop portion ll prevent damage to the plies 5| and 52. Likewise, it will be seen that the trunnion or cam 40 forms a rigid stop or support for the wall 24 of' loop portion 3i which positively limits the degree of pressure to which wall 35 and locking projection 32 are subjected by the pressure applied. As may be readily seen by comparison of Figs. band 7, the bend between wall 25 and locking projection 32 absorbs this additional stress after the engaging surfaces of the locking projection 32 and overlying interlocking fastener member l2 have become parallel.-

The trunnion or cam ll'thus performs three functions; it acts as a tension member when force is applied to the pull tab 36 to move the slider in either direction; it operates as a cam, as shown in Fig. 6, to unlock the slider and maintain it in unlocked position in the upraised position of the pull tab; and it acts as a rigid support or stop for the wall 34 of the loop portion ll, upon the application of pressure thereto, to prevent damage to the locking member 26 while relieving the engaged interlocking fastener member i2 from the damaging effects of too much applied force or pressure, also protecting the interlocking fastener members from damage by the locking member by limiting projection of the locking projection 32 into the channel of the slider.

Another important feature of the locking member resides in the locking projection 32. The

. width of this locking projection and the plateterlocking fastener members (Fig. 4) and passes thereover (Fig. 5) as the slider is moved upwardly of the rows of interlocking fastener members toward closed position. The end surface of the locking projection 32 is flat and forms an abutment engaging the upper surface of interlocking fastener members adjacent to and therebelow, as shown in Fig. 3, effectively. to prevent accidental opening of the fastener or, in other words, to lock the slider against downward movement. Since the inherent resiliency of the locking member 28 providesthe biasing force for yielding'ly urging the locking projection 32 to locking position, as shown in Fig. 3, and since the properties or characteristics of the locking member 26 may be widely varied, as pointed out above, by varying the length of the free portion thereof, the operating characteristics of a slider formed according to this invention may be widely and conveniently varied to suit the specific use forwhich it is intended.

It is, furthermore, tobe noted that the slider comprises but three parts, namely, the slider body,

. the locking member and the pull tab, the locking member effectively connecting the pull tab to the slider, and the three parts being capable of easy, quick and convenient assembly.

Likewise, the channels 23 and 25 receiving the plate portions of the locking member 26 support these portions substantially flush with the wing surfaces while maintaining the locking member in proper alignment and cooperating with the locking projection receiving recess 2i to prevent accidental removal of the locking member by twisting forces applied through the pull member.

It is, of course, to be understood that the above description is merely illustrative and in nowise limiting and that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as are included within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.'In a slider for slide fasteners including a slider body having an interlocking fastener member guide channel therein, a locking member including a locking projection normally yieldingly urged into engagement with fastener members in said channel, said locking projection presenting a relatively fiat surface of substantial area disposed at slight inclination to fastener members e g ed thereby, one transverse end surface of said locking projection providing an abutment normally engageable with surfaces of interlocking fastener membersupon downward movement of said slider positively to prevent accidental movement of said slider toward fastener opening 7 position.

2. In a slider for slide fasteners including a slider body having an interlocking fastener member guide channel therein, a locking member including a locking projection normally yieldingly urged into engagement with fastener members in said channel, said locking-projection presenting a relatively flat surface of substantial width and disposed at slight inclination to fastener members engaged thereby, one end surface of said locking projection providing an abutment normally engaging surfaces of interlocking fastener members upon downward movement of said slider positively to prevent accidental movement of said slider toward fastener opening position, and an arcuate portion on said locking projection spaced from said end surface forming a skid causing said locking projection to ride over interlocking fastener members during movement of the slider body having an interlocking fastener member guide channel therein, a locking member comprising a locking projection normally yieldingly urged into engagement with fastener members in said channel, said locking projection presenting a relatively flat surface of substantial area disposed at slight inclination to fastener members engaged thereby, onetransverse end surface of said locking projection providing an abutment normally engageable with surfaces of interlocking fastener members upon downward movement of said slider positively to prevent accidental movement of said slider toward fastener opening position, and an arcuate portion on said locking projection spaced from said transverse end surface providing a skid causing said locking projection to ride over interlocking fastener members during upward movement of the slidertoward fastener locking position.

4. In a slider for slide fasteners including a slider body having an interlocking fastener member guide channel therein, a locking member comprising a pair of flat plate portions engageable with opposite sides of the slider body, an

arcuate neck portion joining said plate portions ing fastener members in movement of the slider toward fastener locking position.

5. In a slider for slide fasteners including a slider body having therein an interlocking fastener member guide channel formed by a pair of wings connected at their upper ends by a rigid spacing neck, a locking member comprising a pair of flat plate portions adapted to engage the wings of the slider body, an arcuate neck portion joining said plate portions and adapted to extend around the neck of the slider body, an outstruck loop on one of said plate portions, and

a locking projection of substantial area extending from said loop portion and providing a substantially flat surface disposed at slight inclination to fastener members engaged thereby, said locking projection being connected to said loop by an acute bend, the end of the flat surface of said locking projection providing an abutment normally engaging side surfaces of interlocking fastener members upon downward movement of said slider positively to prevent accidental movement of said slider toward fastener opening position and the portion adjacent said acute bend providing a skid causing said locking projection to ride over interlocking fastener members during movement of the slider toward fastener looking position.

6. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of spaced wings connected at their upper ends by a neck, and forming with said neck a fastener member guide channel, one of said wings having an aperture substantially spaced from said neck and extending through said wing to said guide channel, a locking member having an arcuate portion encircling said neck and connected at one end to said slider body, a loop portion extending from the other end of said arcuate portion into said aperture, a locking projection extending from the free end of said loop portion, said locking projection being disposed at a slight angle to said fastener member guide channel, and a pull member having a portion extending between saidloop portion and said slider body for withdrawing said locking projection from looking position upon manual application of tension to 'said pull member.

'7. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of spaced wingsconnected at their upper ends by a neck, and forming with said neck a fastener member guide channel, one of said wings having an aperture substantially spaced from said neck and extending through said wing to said guide channel, locking member guide channels in the exterior of each of said wings extending, in alignment with one another,

longitudinally from said neck downwardly of said slider, a yielding locking member having a pair of plate portions substantially complementary with said channels and seated therein, an arcuate portion connecting said plate portions and encircling said neck, a loop portion extending from the end of one of said plate portions into said aperture, a locking projection extending from the free end of said loop portion, said locking projection being of substantial width and-disposed at a slight angle to said wing, and a pull member having a trunnion portion extending between said loop portion and the adjacent wing.

8. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of spaced wings connected at their upper ends by a neck, and forming with said neck an upwardly diverging fastener member guide channel, one of said wings having an aperture substantially spaced from said neck and extending through said wing to said guide channel, a resilient locking member having a pair of substantially parallel spaced plate portions engaging the outer surfaces of said wings, an arcuate portion connecting said plate portions and encircling said neck, a loop portion extending from the end of one of said plate portions into said aperture, a locking projection extending from the free end of said loop portion between said slider wings, said locking projection being of substantial area, being joined to said loop portion by a relatively sharp bend and being disposed at a slight angle to said wing, and a pull member having a trunnion with a cam portion between said loop portion and the adjacent wing, said cam portion in its unlocked position closely engaging the inner surface of said locking member and the outer surface of said wing and being rotatable to spread said surfaces and unlock said slider.

9. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having an interlocking fastener member guide channel therein, a yielding locking member having thereon an outstruck lug portion extending outwardly of said slider body and a locking projection normally projected into engagement with fastener members in said channel, a pull member having a trunnion extending between said lug portion and said slider body and having thereon a cam rotatable for spreading said lug and said body to unlock said slider and for releasing said lug to lock said slider against accidental fastener opening movement, said cam fitting closely between said lug portion and said slider body in the locked position of said slider cation 'of outside forces thereto and prevent damage to said lockingmember and to fastener members in said channel.

10. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body including a pair of spaced wings connected at their upper ends by a neck forming with said wings a fastener member guide channel, and one of said wings having an aperture extending through said wing into said channel, a yielding locking member attached to one end of said slider body and having a 100 portion projecting through said aperture into said channel, and a locking projection at the end of said loop portion normally projecting into contact with fastener members in said channel, said locking projection presenting to said fastener members a slightly inclined surface of substantial area riding over said fastener members upon upward movement of said slider and presenting to said. fastener members upon downward movement of said slider an end surface projecting between adjacent fastener members positively to prevent downward movement of said slider.

11. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body against accidental fastener opening movement,

said locking projection presenting to said fastener members a slightly inclined surface of substantia1 width riding over said fastener members upon upward movement of said slider and presenting to said fastener members upon downward movement of said slider an end surface projecting between adjacent fastener members and abutting therewith positively to prevent accidental fastener opening movement of said slider, and a pull member having a cam portion extending between said loop portion and said slider body and rotatable for withdrawing said locking projection from said channel.

12. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body including a pair of spaced wings connected at their upper ends by a neck forming with said wings a fastener member guide channel, and one of said wings having an aperture extending therethrough into said channel, and a recess on the inner side of said wing leading from said aperture, a yielding locking member encircling the upper end of said slider body and having adjacent one end a loop portion projecting through said aperture into said channel, and a locking projection at the end of said loop portion normally projected into contact with fastener members in said channel for locking said slider against accidental fastener opening movement, said locking projection presenting to said fastener mem-- bers a slightly inclined surface of substantial area riding over said fastener members upon upward movement of said slider and presenting to said fastener members upon downward movement of said slider, an end surface projecting between adjacent fastener members positively to prevent accidental downward movement ofsaid slider, and a pull member having a cam portion extending between said loop portion and said slider body and rotatable for withdrawing said locking projection from engagement with fastener members in said channel, and said recess receiving said locking projection when withdrawn from engagement with said fastener members and positively limiting butward movement thereof for wing, a lug extending from one end of said lockpreventing detachment of said locking member 7 from said slider body while freeing said channel from obstruction by said locking projection.

13. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of wings connected at one end by a spacing neck forming with said wings a fastener member guide channel therebetween, a yielding locking member encircling said neck and extending a substantial distance over each wing, a ing extending from one end of said looking member and terminating in a locking projection normally ensuing fastener members in said channel, a pull member having a trunnion at its inner end retained between said lug and the adjacent slider body, and means securing said locking member to said slider body comlprising welding spaced substantially from said 141. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of wings connected at one end by a spacing neck forming with said wings a fastener member'guide channel therebetween, a yielding locking member encircling said neck and extending a subtsantial distance over each said locking member to said slider body com prising welding extending a substantial distance around the neck of said slider body.

15. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of wings connected at one end by a spacing neck forming with said wings a fastener member guide channel therebetween, one of said wings having therein an aperture communicating with said channel, a yielding locking member encircling said neck and extending a substantial distance over each wing, 9, lug extending from one end of said locking member through said aperture and terminating in a locking projection normally engaging fastener members in said channel, a pull member having a trunnion at ltslnner end retained between said lug andthe adjacent slider body, and means securing said locking member to said slider body comprising a key projection at the end of said locking member opposite said locking projection, and a slot in said slider body receiving said key projection. 1

16. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of wings connected at one end by a spacing neck forming with said wings a fastener member guide channel therebetween, one

of said wings having, therein an aperture com-. municating with said channel, a, yielding locking extending from said aperture at the inside of the wing and receiving said locking projection when withdrawn from said channel, a key at the other end of said locking member, and a slot in said slider body snugly receiving said key.

17. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of wings connected at one end by a spacing neck forming with said wings a fastener member guide channel therebetween, one of said wings having therein an aperture communicating with said channel, a yielding locking 'member encircling said neck and extending a substantial distance over each wing, 9. lug extending from one end of said locking member through said aperture and terminating in a locking projection normally engaging fastener members in said channel, a pull member having a trunnion at its inner end retained between said lug and the adjacent slide body, and

means securing said locking member to said slider body comprising longitudinal channels in said wings providing spaced seats for the portions of said locking member extending over said wings, and a key at the end of said locking member opposite said locking projection, and a slot in said slider body receiving said key.

ALFRED E. CARI-HE, 

